Toe lasting machine and method



Dec. 28, 1943.

B. JORGENSEN TQE LASTING MACHINE ANDMETHOD Filed April, 10 1942 7 Sheets-Sheet l Dec. 28, 1943. B. JORGENSEN TOE LASTING MACHINE AND METHOD Filed April 10 1942 '7 Sheets-Sheet 2 1943- B. JORGENSEN 2,337,558

TOE LASTIIjG MACHINE AND METHOD Filed April 10, 1942 r Sheets-Sheet s Dec. 28, 1943. 5, JQRGENSIEN 2,337,558

TOE LASTING MACHINE AND METHOD Filed April I0, 1942 7 Sheets-Sheet 4 I Dec. 28, 1943. B. JORGENSEN 2,337,553

TOE LASTING MACHINE AND METHOD Filed April 10, 1942 A '7 Sheets-Sheet 5 DeQ. 28, 1943. B. JORGENSEN TOE LASTING MACHINE AND METHOD Filed April 10 1942 7 Sheets-Sheet 6 m wwww 3% *5 m aw k Dec. 28, 1943. B. JORGENSEN r 2,337,553

- TOE LASTING MACHINEAND METHOD Filed April 16', 1942 I 7 Sheets-Sheet 7 Patented Dec. 28, 1943 TOE LASTIN G MACHINE AND METHOD Bernhardt J orgensen,

Marblehead, Mass., assignor to United Shoe Machinery Corporation,

Flemington, N. J

a corporation of New Jersey Application April 10, 1942, Serial No. 138,4 74 32 Claims. (CI. 1214) This invention relates to machines and methods for use in lasting the toe ends of shoes. An immediate object in view is to improve the results obtained in the use of a toe-lasting machine constructed generally as disclosed in United States Letters Patent No. 2,324,509, granted July 20, 1943, on an application of mine, and accordingly the invention, in its machine aspects, is herein illustrated as embodied in a modification of the machine therein shown. It is to be understood, however, that the invention, in such machine aspects, is susceptible of various embodiments and also that with respect to the novel method the invention is not limited to the use of that particular machine.

The machine shown in the above-mentioned Letters Patent is provided with means for conforming the toe-end portion of a multi-ply upper to the contour of a last by Wiping it heightwise of the last, means for trimming the margin of one or more inner layers of the upper thus conformed to the contour of the last while leaving a margin of the outer layer to be lasted over an insole on the last next to the insole, and wipers for thereafter wiping the margin of the outer layer inwardly over the insole. To assist in shaping the upper over the last the machine is further provided with upper-gripping members which grip the margin of the several layers of the upper between them and apply a pull to the upper, these members pulling the margin of the several layers outwardly over the wipers preparatory to the upper-trimming operation but releasing it prior to the completion of that operation to make way for the trimming means. After the trimming operation cement is applied to the shoe and the wipers are then operated to wipe the margin of the outer layer of the upper inwardly over the insole into position to be secured to the insole by the cement, means being provided for clamping the margin of the outer layer on the wipers during a portion of their inward movements to assist them in wiping it smoothly and tightly over the insole.

The construction above described has been used heretofore with highly satisfactory results. It has been found, however, that under some operating conditions still better results may be obtained if the upper is subjected to a pull after the upper-trimming operation, especially if such a pull is applied to the outer layer only of the upper which is commonly made of leather and is less resistant to the pull than the other upper materials. The present invention, in one aspect, accordingly provides novel means whereby the upper is treated in this manner. In the construction herein shown the upper-gripping members which grip and pull the margin of the several layers of the upper prior to the upper-trimming operation, as above described, are further operated to grip the margin of the outer layer and to pull that layer only after the upper-trimming operation. To render the pull on the outer layer more effective, the construction shown is further such that the above-mentioned means for conforming the toe end of the upper to the contour of the last releases the upper from the conforming pressure after the upper-trimming operation and is again operated to wipe the upper heightwise of the last as the pull is being applied to the outer layer. This pull is maintained until the wipers begin their movements to wipe the upper inwardly over the insole, whereupon the upper-gripping members open and release the upper.

The novel method provided by the invention, in one aspect, involves the conforming of the toe-end portion of the upper to the contour of the last, the gripping and pulling of the margin of the several layers of the upper prior to the upper-trimming operation, and the gripping and pulling of the margin of the outer layer only after that operation before it is lasted inwardly over the insole, the first pull, at least, being preferably an outward pull such as to spread the margin of the several layers outwardly from the edge of the insole preparatory to the trimming of the inner layer or layers. In a further aspect, the method involves the release of the upper from the conforming pressure after the uppertrimming operation and the reshaping or conforming thereof to the contour of the last, as by wiping it heightwise of the last, as the pull is applied to the outer layer only prior to the lasting of its margin over the insole.

The novel mechanical features of the invention and the novel method will now be more particularly described with reference to the accompanying drawings and thereafter pointed out in the claims.

In the drawings,

Fig. 1 is a view in lefthand side elevation, with parts broken away, of the upper portion of a machine in which features of the invention are embodied, the machine being a fluid-operated machine of the same general character as disclosed in the above-mentioned Letters Patent.

Fig. 2 is mainly a plan view of the upper-gripping and pulling means;

Fig. 3 is a plan view, with parts broken away, I

to the parts which operate thereon'at different times in the course of the operation of the machine;

Fig. is mainly a plan view showing certain parts in the positions which they occupy at the same stage in the cycle of operations as in Fig. 7;

Fig. 16 is a plan view showing, in part. diagrammatically, the source of operating fluid and the valves for controlling the flow of the fluid to the various operating mechanisms; and

Fig. 17 is a chart illustrating the timing. or" the various operations performed in the. cycle of operations of the machine.

" In view of the disclosure in the above-mentioned Letters Patent, only such parts as it is necessary to refer to for an understanding of the present invention will be hereinafter described in detail. For positioning the shoe in proper relation to the lasting instrumentalities, there is vertically adjustable on the frame of the machine a member 2 (Figs. 2 and 6) having detachably mounted thereon a plate t which by engagement with the bottom of the forepart of the insole determines the position of the shoe heightwise, its position in other respects being determined by three pins 6 detachable with the plate A and arranged to extend through holes in the insole into holes provided in metal bushings in the bottom portion of the last. After the shoe has been presented by the operator in the position determined by the plate t and the pins 6, it is clamped against the plate and supported against downwardmovement by a toe rest 8 and an instep support It! which are moved upwardly into supporting relation to the shoe and the last, as illustrated in Fig. 7, by fluid-operated means substantially at the beginning of the cycle of operations of the machine. Substantially at the beginning of the cycle of operations, also, a heel rest I? is moved by fluid-operated means into engagement with the heel-end face of the shoe 7 to assist in supporting the shoe against lengthwise movement, as further illustrated in Fig. '7 The manner in which these parts are operated and controlled need not be further herein described.

For applying a pull to the toe-end portion of the upper the machine is provided with a toe-end gripper M (Figs. 2, 6 and 15) arranged to grip the margin of the upper around the end of the to and with two side grippers Iii arranged to grip the margin of the upper at the sides of the toe in locations at or near what may be termed the corners of the toe. These three grippers are mounted on a substantially horizontal gripper support l8 (see also Fig. 1) which by means of studs 20 is pivotally mounted at its rear end on the frame of the machine for swinging movements heightwise of the shoe and is supported normally at its front end on a lug 22 formed on a slide M which is vertically adjustable on the frame. The toe-end gripper i5 comprises a pair of jaws 28 and 28 (Fig. 6) so arranged as. to

present a substantially horizontal opening between them to receive the outturned or 'outwardly flaring margin of the. upper when the shoe is presented to the machine. The lower jaw 26 is fast on a slide 38 movable in directions lengthwise of the shoe along guideways on the support is, and the upper jaw 23 is mounted on a pin 32 for swinging movements toward and from the lower jaw. An arm 35 on the jaw 28 is connected by a link 35 to a piston 33 movable in a cylinder 53E! fast on the slide 3%. The jaw 28 is held initially in open position by springs 42 with the piston 33 near the inner end of the cylinder it. The piston is operated to cause the jaws to grip the upper by fluid admitted to the cylinder ifiirom a pipe 54 connected by a flexible tube it to a cross pipe '38 at the rear of the support Hi. This cross pipe receives operating fluid from a pipe line 55 leading from a chamber 52 (Fig. 16) towhich fluid is supplied under pressure, as disclosed in the previously mentioned Letters Patent. Admission of fluid frorothis chamber to the pipe line 58 and exhaust of fluid-from the pipe line are controlled by a valve 5 1 which corresponds to the valve I65 shown in the above-mentioned Letters Patent.

Each of the side grippers I6 is generally similar in construction to the toe-end gripper M and comprises a lower jaw 55, a portion of one of which is shown in Fig. 2, and an upper jaw 58. The lower jaw of each side gripper is secured to a slide 5% movable on the support !8 along guideways arranged substantially at right angles to the gui-deways of the toe-end gripper M.- The upper jaw 58 of each side gripper is connected by a link 62 to a iston 64 operating in a cylinder 66 fast on the slide til, the upper jaw being held in open position by springs 68. The closing of each side gripper on the upper results from the admission of fluid to the cylinder 65 through a flexible tube it connected to the cross pipe 43. Accordingly, fluid from the pipe line 58 acts simultaneously to close all three grippers on the upper. As fully described in the previously mentioned Letters Patent, the valve 55 is initially under the direct control of the operator, so that he may cause the grippers to close on the upper and, if desired,,to open and close again prior to the starting of the automatic cycle of operations. After. the starting-of the cycle, the control of the valve 54 is wholly automatic.

The pulling of the upper by the several grippers is effected by movements of the slides 38 and 66 outwardly along their guideways on the support H8 in directions substantially parallel to the bottom of the forepart of the last. For imparting such an upper-pulling movement to the toe-end gripper M a lever 12 is pivotally mounted at M on the support it and, as described in greater detail in the previously mentioned Letters Patent,

is yieldingly connected through a spring it and alink '18 to. the slide 3i] which carries the toe-end gripper. As the slidetfi is thus moved in the direction to pull the .uppenthe previously mentioned pipe i l. moves with it against the resistance of a spring which acts thereafter to return the slide and the gripper to starting position, The operative movement of the lever E2 is efiected by bodily movement of a cylinder 82' which is pivotally connected at iii to the lever and into which fluid is delivered from a flexible tube ti: communicating with a pipe line 88 leading from the chamber 52 (Fig. lo). The return movement of the toe-end gripper, effected as above described by the spring to, is limited by Thefiuid admitted to the. cylinder 82 serves also to impart upper-pulling movement to theviously mentioned valve I22 controls the upward left-hand side gripper It. For this purpose there is movably mounted in the cylinder 82 a piston 94 pivotally connected to one arm of a lever 96 mounted to swing about a stud 98 on thesupport I8. Also mounted to swing about this stud is one arm of a three-armed lever lilil a forwardly extending arm of which is connected to the slide 60 carrying the left-hand side gripper. A spring I 82 connected to this arm and to the left-hand arm of the lever 96 serves to hold the latter normally in engagement with a lug I04 on the three-armed lever. Accordingly, outward movement of the piston 94 in the cylinder 82 swings the lever 96 and the three-armed lever I as a unit about the stud 98 to impart upperpulling movement to the left-hand side gripper, the spring I02 being yieldable in response to resistance of the upper to the force of the pull applied thereto. Movement of the piston 9 is limited by a stop lug I06 on the support I8. The left-hand side gripper is returned to its starting position, when permitted, by a spring i513 connected to the lever 96, this position of the gripper being determined by engagement of an adjustable rod I Ill with the third arm of the threearmed lever I130.

The mechanism for imparting upper-pulling movement to the right-hand side gripper i6 is of substantially the same construction as that above described as associated with the left-hand side gripper, and corresponding parts are identified by the same reference characters. The lever 96 through which the right-hand gripper is operated is pivotally connected to a piston II2 movably mounted in a cylinder II l which is pivoted on a stud H8 on the support I8, movement of the piston being limited by a stop lug H8. Fluid is admitted to this cylinder through a pipe I communicating with the pipe line 88. Accordingly, by fluid received from this pipe line all the grippers are operated simultaneously to pull the upper, the admission of fluid to this pipe line and the exhaust of fluid therefrom being controlled by a valve i2? (Fig. 16) which corresponds to the valve 3M shown in the previously mentioned Letters Patent. The timing of the operations of this valve for purposes of the present invention, and the corresponding timing of the operations of the previously mentioned valve 54 for controlling the closing and opening of the grippers, will be more particularly hereinafter described.

Mechanism is further provided, as heretofore, for imparting additionally to all the grippers, if desired, upper-pulling movements heightwise of the last. This mechanism comprises two vertical cylinders I24, only one of which is herein shown (Fig. 1), each cylinder having therein a piston I26 movements of which are limited by a stop pin I28 mounted in the cylinder and extending through a slot I3Ei in the piston. Each piston is provided with an upward extension I32 having at its upper end a screw I34 the head of which is arranged to engage the lower face of a lug I 36 on the side of the gripper support I8 and thus to swing the support upwardly about the axis of the studs 29 to cause the grippers to pull the upper in that direction. Operating fluid is supplied to the cylinders I 24 through pipes I38, one of which is shown in Fig. 1. As fully disclosed in the previously mentioned Letters Patent, these pipes are arranged to communicate with the same pipe line 83 through which fluid is supplied to the cylinders 82 and H4, so that the premovements of the grippers as well as their other movements, a cut-off valve (not shown) being provided for rendering the pistons I26 inoperative if it is not desired to impart the upward movements to the grippers.

For wiping the toe end of the upper heightwise of the last the machine is provided with a toe former I49 hereinafter more particularly described, and for wiping the margin of the upper inwardly over the insole there are further provided wipers N32. The toe former and the wipers are supported by a toe head hi l (Figs. 1, 3 and 4) pivotally supported on the front ends of upper and lower pairs of parallel links Hi6 and H38 the rear ends of which are pivotally mounted on the frame of the machine, so that the toe head may be moved upwardly and downwardly while remaining substantially horizontal. For moving it upwardly to cause the toe former to wipe the upper heightwise of the last there are provided on the frame, near the opposite sides of the machine, two cylinders I5fi having pistons I 52 therein, only one such cylinder and its piston being herein show (Fig. 1). Each piston I52 is connected to the toe head by a link Hit. The upward movement of the toe head is adjustably limited by engagement of shoulders I55 thereon with stop screws I58 mounted in lugs on the frame, only one such shoulder and screw being herein shown. Fluid is admitted to the cylinders I56 to raise the toe head through pipes 162] leading respectively to the different cylinders and communicating with a common pipe line 562 (Fig. 16). Admission of fluid to this pipe line and exhaust of fluid therefrom are controlled by a valve I64 which corresponds to the valve 3M shown in the previously mentioned Letters Patent but is differently timed in its operations as hereinafter explained.

Movable lengthwise of the shoe along guideways on the toe head lid is a wiper carrier I65 connected directly by a piston rod i 68 to a piston I Ill movable in a cylinder I12 fast on the rear end of the toe head. A plate I'M serves as a closure for one end of the cylinder, and fastened to this plate is another plate I76 which serves as a holder for packing H8. the front and rear ends of the cylinder, respectively, through flexible tubes I83 and I82 (Fig. 4) these tubes communicating respectively with pipe lines I 84 and I 85 (Fig. 16) leading to the chamber 52. Admission of fluid to the pipe line I84 and exhaust of fluid therefrom are controlled by a valve I88, and, similarly, admission and exhaust of fluid to and from the pipe line I 86 are controlled by a valve I 9: these valves corresponding, respectively, to the valves 368 and 319 shown in the previously mentioned Letters Patent. It will be understood that when fluid is admitted to the rear end of the cylinder 672 the wipers are advanced lengthwise of the shoe and that when it is admitted to the front end of the cylinder they are retracted. Supported on the wiper carrier I66 are two wiper holders I92 mounted to swing about a pin I9 1 on the wiper carrier and further guided in their swinging movements by curved faces I96 on the carrier. The wipers I 42 are detachably secured on the tops of these wiper holders under cover plates I98 fast on the holders. Overlapping the front ends of the cover plates I98 are brackets 200, these brackets being fast on the toe head I44 and serving to support the wipers and the Wiper holders against upward movement relatively to the toe head. In response Fluid is admitted to wipers inward laterally of the shoe by'mechanismnot herein shown. in. detail but fully disclosed in the previously mentioned Letters Patent,. this mechanism acting also to swing the wipers-outwardly from over the shoe'in responseto' retractive. movement of the wiser carrier.v

The toe former 1%. comprises a substantially U-shaped flexible band 222, of. leather or other suitable material, the intermediate portion ofwhich is-mounted in an inclined slot formed in: This block.

rearwardly extending links 2H7 the rear ends of which are connected, respectively, to the lower ends of two depending arms 2l2 formed integral with asleeve 21% which is held by a set screw 216 (Fig. 3) in fixed relation to a shaft 248 mountedto rock in bearings in the toe head Hi4. Another depending arm 223; which is integral with the sleeve 2M, is connected at its lower end to the rear end of a spring 222' the front end of which is connected to a hook 22 3 on thetoe head HM. It will thus be seen that the spring 222 tends to turn the sleeve 2M in the direction to impart forward movement to the links 2H] andto the toe former Mil. To limit such movement there isintegral with the sleeve 2! a rearwardly extending arm 226 (Fig; 4:) in

which is threaded a screw 22B arranged to en-- gage a lug 230 on the toe head'l i i.

The machine is further provided, as hereto fore, with means whereby the toe former may, if

required by the shape of the toe end of the last, be held automatically in a retracted position lengthwise of the shoe throughoutthe greater portion of the upward movement of the toe head Hi l, so that it will not have any upwiping action on the upper, at least until its upward movement has been nearly completed. When the toe former is thus held retracted, the upperpulled in outward directions by the grippers is deflected inwardly toward the last by the up-- wardly moving toe wipers the edges of which are normally spaced farther from the end and side faces of the last than the upper-engaging per- For such control of the toe former there is provided'a latch arm 252' tions of the toe former.

(Fig. 4) having a shoulder 234 arranged'under certain conditions to hold the rear end of thearm 226 uplifted against the resistance of the spring 222 (Fig. 3), so that through the arms 2l2 and the links 2H the toe former is held-ina retracted position farther from the last than the edges of the wipers. The latcharm 232is part of a bell-crank lever 23% which is mounted to swing about a stud 238 threaded in a. lug

2M1 (Fig. 3) on the cylinder H2 and which has a rearwardly extending arm 2 52. A. torsion spring 254 on the stud tends to swing the bell-crank lever in a counterclockwise direction (Fig. 4), and it may be swung in the opposite direction against the resistance of thi spring by a heavier leaf spring 2st in engagement with the rear face of the latch arm 232. The leaf spring is fastened to the hub of a depending arm 248- secured by a set screw 252 to'a shaft 252 mounted to turn in a'fixed sleeve 25:32pm

The front end portions of the oneness:

to the advancing movement of the wiper carrier L66 lengthwise of the shoe, swinging movements are imparted to the wiper holders I92 to close the which one-of the previously mentioned links [4'6 is supported. By meansof a crank 255 the shaft 252 may be turned to different predetermined positions. When it is positioned as illustrated in Fig; that the latch arm 232 is held away from the rear end of the arm 22% by the torsion spring 2 24. Under these conditions the-toe former I 58 will'not be heldretracted, butwill serve-to wipe the upper normally heightwise of the last in each cycle of operations of the machine. If the shaft 252 is turned to such a position that the arm 258 is vertical, as illustrated by broken lines in Fig. 4, the leaf spring 246 overcomes the resistance of the torsion spring 2 54 and swings the latch arm 232 into engagement with the rear end of the arm 22%. condition to hold the toe former retracted if the arm 226 is lifted far enough to clear the shoulder 23 1. The manner in which the arm 226 is thus lifted will be presently described. The toe former having thus been locked in its retracted position, it remains in that position throughout the greater portion of the upward movement of the toe head M4. Near the endof that movement the arm 242 of the bell-crank lever 236 is carried into enggaement with the lower end of the arm 248, whereupon the latch arm 232 is swung out of operative position and thus. releases the arm 226. This permits the spring 222 to advance the toe former to its normal upper-engaging position. When the toe head Hi l is thereafter moved downwardly to its starting position, the" arm 242 is released by the arm 2&8, so that the latch arm 232 may again act to hold the toe former retracted when it is next moved upwardly.

The retractive' movement ofthe toe former and 3) the headof which is arranged to engage anenlarged portion. of one of the depending arms 2.52 onithe sleeve 2M to rock the sleeve and the shaft 218 against the resistance of the spring 222'. The limit of such rearward movement of the carrier i651 is determined by engagement of a collar 2% on the piston rod I68 with a shoulder 2G2 formed'on the front end of'a boss on the toe head Hi l. It will be evident that the screw 2-58, after the retractive movement of the toe former, must bemov'edf forwardly away from the arm 212 for enoughto permit the forward movement of the toe former when it is released by the latch arm 232. Accordingly, spring mechanism is provided for imparting a'definite amount of forward movementto the wiper carrier [(56 when the fluid is permitted to exhaust from the front end of the cylinder H2, thus spacing the collar 26!! from the shoulder 262 as illustratedin-Fig. 3. It will be understood that, regardless'of the position of thelatch arm 232, the Wiper carrier I66 is moved rearwardly to the position determined by the shoulder 232-: and then forwardly to the position in whichit is shown-in Fig. 3 in every cycle of operations of the machine. The above-mentioned Spring. mechanism comprises a cylinder 28% (Fig. 3) which is closed at both ends and contains two-springs 266 and268, thecylinder being supported on the toe head IM. These springs; tend to force two blocks 210' and 212 towardeach other and hold them normally in 4, the leaf spring 2 36 is in such a position- The latch armis accordingly inassigns positions determined by their engagement with two pins 214 fixed in the cylinder 264, only one of these pins being shown in dotted outline. Located between the two blocks in recesses therein is a sleeve 276 which extends through slots 218 in the cylinder 2M and is mounted on a stud 28E! threaded in the wiper carrier I66. When the wiper carrier receives the last portion of its rearward movement to the position determined by the shoulder 252, the block 210 is moved rearwardly against the resistance of the spring 286 by the action of the sleeve 216 thereon. When the fluid is permitted to exhaust from the front end of the cylinder I12, this spring imparts to the wiper carrier the short forward movement required to space the collar 260 from the shoulder 262 as illustrated in Fig. 3, the limit of this movement being determined by engagement of the pins 214 with the block 219. When the wiper carrier is moved forwardly from this position to operate the wipers, the spring 268 is compressed, and when the wiper carrier is thereafter retracted, this spring expands until the block 212 arrives in the position determined by the pins 214. The purpose of the spring 268 is to act as a buffer to insure that when the wiper carrier is moved forwardly by the spring 266 it will stop in the proper position.

In order to insure that the wipers M2 will apply sufficient downward pressure to the margin of the upper after wiping it inwardly over the insole, the toe head I44 has extending downwardly therefrom through an opening in the I frame casting 282 (Fig. 4) a rod 234 which carries a spring 286 supported by a collar 288 thereon. In the course of the upward movement of the toe head a washer 290 which rests on the spring 236 is carried into engagement with the casting 282, and thereafter the spring is compressed by further upward movement of the toe head. When the operating fluid is permitted to exhaust from the cylinders I50 after the wipers have wiped the upper inwardly, the spring becomes eifective to increase the downward pressure of the wipers on the margin of the upper.

Before the wipers are retracted from over the shoe fluid is again admitted to the cylinders I 53 to relieve this pressure of the wipers on the upper.

After the wiping of the toe end of the upper heightwise of the last and while it is clamped. against the last by the toe former I40 the margin of one or more inner layers of the toe end of the upper is removed and cement is thereafter applied to the shoe for securing the margin of the.

outer layer to the insole. For these two purposes the machine is provided, as heretofore, with an upper-trimming device indicated generally by the reference character 292 (Fig. 1) and with a cement-applying device shown in dotted lines in Fig. 1 and indicated generally by the reference character 294. Both these devices are supported on a carrier 298 clamped on a vertical hollow post 2% which is guided for vertical movements and for turning movements by a cylinder set inserted in a tubular portion 362 of the frame and by a bearing 3% which is also a part of the frame. By the vertical movements of the post the tri. ming device and thereafter the cement-applying device are moved downwardly into position to operate on the shoe, and by the swinging of the carrier 2% accompanied by turning movement of the post the different devices are moved into positions over the toe end of the shoe. Initially the carrier 256 is in such a position that the into position to operate on the shoe.

trimming device is over the shoe. The swinging of the carrier into position to bring the cementapplying device over the shoe is effected at the proper time in the cycle of operations by fluidoperated means not herein shown but fully disclosed in the previously mentioned Letters Patent, this means acting through a link 306 (Fig. l) on an arm 308 fast on the post 298. Return movement of the carrier, when permitted by this fluidoperated means, is effected by a spring (not herein shown) The upper end of the hollow post 298 is closed by a plug 3H), and the upper portion of the post serves as a piston in the cylinder 39!). Fluid admitted to the upper end of this cylinder forces the post downwardly a ainst the resistance of a return spring 3l2 therein to carry either the trimming device or the cement-applying device Fluid is thus admitted to the cylinder through a pipe line 3M which leads to the source of fluid supply (Fig. 16). The admission and exhaust of fluid to and from this pipe line are controlled by a valve SIS corresponding to the valve 122 shown in the'previously mentioned Letters Patent.

The upper-trimming device 292 comprises a middle knife 3E8 (Figs. 1, '7 and 15) having a curvature generally similar to that of the edge of the insole around the end of the toe and movable rectilinearly lengthwise of the shoe in an outward direction from opposite the bottom of the shoe toward the toe-end gripper M in the upper-trimming operation, and two side knives 320 mounted to swing outward laterally of the shoe also from opposite the bottom of the shoe about a vertical axis toward the side grippers [6. The three knives, in operating on the upper, move in a plane parallel to the top faces of the wipers with their cutting edges spaced from these faces a distance substantially equal to the thickness of the outer layer of the upper materials, so that as the marginal portions of the different layers are outspread over the wipers the knives trim ofi" the surplus marginal material of the inner layer or layers, usually comprising a lining and a toe box, while leaving a margin of the outer layer to be lasted over the insole next to the insole. As illustrated, the top faces of the wipers (Figs. 7 and 8) are positioned at the time of the upper-trimming operation somewhat above the plane of the bottom face of the toe end of the insole, so as to leave enough of the inner layer or layers to overlap the extreme marginal edge of the insole when the wipers thereafter wipe the outer layer inwardly. The operation of the trimming means is such that the side knives 320 act on the upper prior to the middle knife 3I8, the grippers maintaining their hold on the upper until these side knives have started their trimming operation, as more fully disclosed in the previously mentioned Letters Patent, whereupon the several grippers open and are moved farther outwardly by their operating means out of the paths of the knives. After the side knives have completed their operative movements the middle knife 3i8 acts, as illustrated in Fig, 8, to complete the upper-trimming operation. This middle knife is carried by an arm 322 which is mounted for swinging movements heightwise of the shoe and holds the knife initially upraised to provide room. for the side knives 320. In proper time relation to the movements of the side knives this arm is swung downwardly to carry the middle knife to the same plane as the side knives before itbegins to act on the upper materials. This movement of the arm 322 and the movements of the several knives to per-form the upper-trimming operation are effected by fluid-operated means supported on the carrier .296, which means is .not

is supplied to this fluid-operated means through apipe line .324 (Fig. l) which leads to the source of fluid supply (Fig. 16) Admission and exhaust of fluid toand from this pipe line are controlled by a valve 328 which corresponds to the valve 822 shown in the above-mentioned Letters Patent.

The cement-applying device 294 comprises a cement receptacle 328 (Fig. 1) adapted preferably to contain thermoplastic cement in a liquified condition, and a pump (not herein shown) by the operation of which cement is forced from the receptacle through a plurality of openings in an insole-engaging member 330 (see also Fig. 11) as this member is moved downwardly into engagement with the margin of the toe end of V the insole by downward movement of the carrier 2%. The member 330, which is yieldingly movable in an upward direction relatively to the carrier 296 with the receptacle 328, is provided with an inclined face 332 against which the margin of the outer layer of the upper is forced by the wipers as they wipe it inwardly over the vinsole, the pressure of the upper on. this face causing the member 330 to move upwardly away from the insole while acting as a retarder on the upper. This permits the wipers to be moved inwardly under the member 330 (Fig. 13) in wiping the margin of the upper over the insole. In view of the use of the grippers to apply a second pull to the outer layer of the upper materials for purposes of the present invention, the additional retarder heretofore used for clamping the margin of the upper on the top faces of the wipers in response to the downward movement of the carrier 2% is omitted.

In Fig, 5 is shown, by way of example, one of the valve-controlling mechanisms with which the machine is provided,this being the mechan sm for controlling the valve 1-64 whereby fluid is admitted .to the cylinders I50 for imparting upward movements to the toe head I4 5. In view of the disclosure in the previously mentioned Letters Patent, this valve-controlling mechan sm will be only briefly described. The valve I64, which is a sleeve valve, is moved toward the right to admit fluid from the chamber 52 to the pipe line I62 by downward swinging movement of the left-hand end of a lever 334 which acts yield ngly to swing toward the right an arm 336 connected to the valve. The valve is heldin the position to which it is thus moved by a latch 338 which is carried by the right-hand end of the lever 334 and is swung by a spring 3.39 into positionover a shoulder 6% on a member .362. At the proper times in the cycle the latch 338 is swung from over the shoulder Mil by one end 344 of a lever 346, whereupon a spring3 l8 connected to the arm 336 returns the valve 164 to its initial position to per- Init exhaust of fluid from the pipe line I62. In the construction herein shown the levers 334 and will, as well as corresponding parts of the other valve-controlling mechanisms, are operated by means differing somewhat in construction from the correspondingmeans shown in the previously mentionedlLetters Patent. This means comprises a drum 3% carried by a shaft ,352 which is operated automatically in the same manner as the control shaft i229 shown in the above-mentioned "LettersPatent. Formed in the periphery of this drum in proper relation to the various valvecontrolling mechanisms are annular grooves in which are adiustably secured fingers for operating and releasing the valves in the required time relation to one another. In Fig. 5 are shown, for purposes of the present invention, three such fingers 354 for operating the lever 334 to move the valve I64 into position to admit the fluid to the pipe line I62, and three fingers 356 for operating the lever 346 .to release the valve and permit it to return foo-exhaust position. The three fingers 356 are mounted in a groove 358 in the drum 350, and it will be understood that the fingers v35d are similarly mounted in another groove in the drum.

,itcontrols may be varied. Such an adjustment is permitted by slots 3.60 which are formed in the base portions of the fingers and through which extend screws 352 whereby the fingers are secured in adjusted relation to the drum.

The manner of operation of the machine, in so far as it is of interest for an understanding of the present invention, will now be briefly described with reference particularly to the chart (Fig. 17) which illustrates the preferable timing of the various operations as determined by the number and positions of the valve-controlling fingers provided on the drum .359. On this chart, as on the corresponding chart of the previously mentioned Letters Patent, the double lines indicate the times when the operating fluid is being adm tted to the respective .cylinders or is being maintained under pressure therein, and the single lines indicate the times when the fluid is being or has been exhausted from the respective cylinders.

As hereinbefore explained, after the shoe has been presented in the position determined by the plate 4 and the pins 5, the grippers l4 and I5 are closed (Fig. 6-) to grip the margin of the several layers of the upper materials by fluid admitted to the cyclinders 4i] and IE5 (Fig. 2) under direct control of the operator prior to the starting of the cycle of operations of the machine, which cycle of operations corresponds to one complete revolumoved into engagement with the shoe. Substantially at the beginning of the cycle also fluid is admitted to the front end of the cylinder iIZ (Fig. 3) ,to impart such further retractive movement to the wiper carrier P55 as to cause the toe former ME! to be held by the latch 232 in inoperative position if the shaft 252 has been turned to such a position as to,render this latch effective since the termination of the preceding cycle of operations. Shortly thereafter the fluid is released from the front end of the cylinder to cause the wiper carrier again to assume the normal position determined by the springs 266 and 263. Near the beginning of the cycle also fluid is admitted to the cylinders 82 and IE4 to cause the grippers to pull the upper yieldingly in outward directions substantially parallel to the bottom of the toe end of the shoe. At this time, if the cylinders I24 (Fig. 1) are in use, the gripper support I3 is swung upwardly a short distance to cause the grippers to pull the upper also heightwise of the last. While the grippers are holding the upper under tension the carrier 296 which supports the upper-trimming means and the cement-applying means is moved downwardly to carry the upper-trimming means into position to operate on the shoe, and upward movement is imparted to the toe head M4 to raise the toe former M and the wipers M2, the parts being then positioned as illustrated in Fig. 7. If the toe former is not under control of the latch 232, it acts in the normal manner in such upward movement of the toe head to wipe the toe-end portion of the upper heightwise of the last while it is held under tension by the grippers. If, however, the toe former is held retracted by the latch 232, it does not become effective to conform the upper to the contour of the last until it is released by the latch near the end of the upward movement of the toe head. The next operation performed is the trimming of the upper by the movements of the trimming knives M8 and 320. The relation of the middle knife 358 to the upper as it operates thereon, after the operations of the side knives 320, is illustrated in Fig. 8, the grippers having been opened and retracted from the paths of movement of the knives at the time when the side knives began to act on the upper. It will be understood that by the action of the trimming knives, moving in a plane parallel to the wipers M2, the margin of all but the outer layer of the toe-end portion of the upper is trimmed ofi, leaving the margin of the outer layer outspread over the wipers. After the trimm ng operation the carrier 2&6 is raised to withdraw the trimming means from the vicinity of the shoe and the trimming knives are returned to their starting positions on the carrier. As thus far described the cycle of operations does not difier in any material respect from that described in the previously mentioned Letters Patent.

Shortly after the trimming of the upper as above described, fluid is again admitted to the front end of the cylinder H2 in response to the action on the valve M8 of a suitable finger provided on the drum 350. This results in imparting again to the wiper carrier I65 the further retractive movement required to engage the collar 26!] (Fig. 3) with the shoulder 262, thus withdrawing the toe former and the wipers from the shoe lengthwise thereof in the manner illustrated in Fig. 9. While the toe former is thus held out r of engagement with the upper the toe head on. is lowered by gravity to its initial position in response to release of the fluid from the cylinders I50, carrying the toe former and the wipers to the positions illustrated in Fig. 10. Just after the toe head starts to move downwardly the fluid is released from the gripper-operating cylinders 82 and H4 (Fig. 2), whereupon the grippers are moved inwardly by their return springs into positions where the outturned margin of the outer layer of the upper again lies between the open gripper jaws, as illustrated in Fig. 10. At substantially the same time the carrier 2% is swung to carry the cement-applying means 29 to a position over the toe end of the shoe. Shortly thereafter fluid is again admitted to the gripper-closing cylinders to close the grippers on the margin of the outer layer of the upper, and then fiuid is again admitted to the gripper-operating cylinders to cause the grippers to pull the upper as before, the pull, however, being applied only to V the outer layer of the upper. The carrier 2% is then moved down to carry the member 3136 of the cement-applying means into engagement with the insole and to apply cement through this member to the margin of the insole. At substantially the same time the fluid is released from the front end of the cylinder H2 to cause the wiper carrier I66 to be returned to its normal starting position and consequently to cause the toe former MEI, if it is not held back by the latch 232, to resume a position such a to render it effective to wipe the upper again heightwise of the last in response to a second upward movement of the toe head 544 which immediately follows. The positions of the parts shortly before the completion of this upward movement of the toe head and at the end of its upward movement are illustrated respectively by Figs. 11 and 12. As will be evident, the grippers maintain their pull on the outer layer of the upper throughout this upward movement of the toe head. The wipers are next advanced and closed to wipe the margin of the outer layer of the upper inwardly over the insole, the grippers being opened to release the upper just as the wipers begin to wipe it over the insole. In this operation of the wipers the member 330 is forced upwardly by the pressure of the upper on its inclined face 332, this member acting as a retarder on the upper and applying some Of the cement to the inner face of the upper. In the course of the wiping operation the member 330 assumes a position in which it presses a portion of the margin of the upper on the top faces of the wipers, as illustrated in Fig. 13, after which the wipers by further movements withdraw the upper from engagement with this member and wipe it down on the insole as illustrated in Fig. 14. When the wipers have arrived in the positions illustrated in Fig. 14 fluid is released from the cylinders I50 to render the spring 286 (Fig. 4) effective to increase the downward pressure of the wipers on the margin of the upper. With the wipers in their fully advanced and closed positions the drum comes automatically to a stop to allow time, as heretofore, for the setting of the cement between the margin of the upper and the insole, and after a brief interval the drum is started again automatically to cause the machine to complete the cycle of operations. During the remainder of the cycle the movements for releasing the shoe and for returning parts of the machine to their initial positions do not differ materially from the closure of the previously mentioned Letters Patent and need not be herein described in detail.

Having described the invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. In a toe-lasting machine, means movable in a path generally parallel to the bottom of the toe end of a last to trim the margin of one or more inner layers of the toe-end portion Of a multi-ply upper on the last while leaving a margin of the outer layer to be lasted over an insole on the last next to the insole, upper-gripping members arranged to be positioned in the path of movement of said trimming means to grip the margin of the upper between them, means for closing said members on the margin of the outer layer of the toe-end portion of the upper after the upper-trimming operation and for causing them to pull that layer only, and means for lasting the margin of the outer layer inwardly over the insole.

2. In a toe-lasting machine. means movable outwardly from opposite the bottom of a last to trim from th toe-end portion of a multi-ply upper on the last the margin of one or more inner layers of the upper materials while leaving a margin of the outerlayer to be lasted over an insole on the last next to the insole, upper-grip ping members arranged tobe positioned in the path of such outward movement of the'trimming means to grip the margin of the upper'between them, means for closing said members on the margin of the outer layer of the toe-end portion of the upper afterthe upper-trimming operation and for operating them to pull that layer only, and wipers movable to Wipe the margin of the outer layer inwardly over the insole after it has .thus been pulled.

3. In a toe-lasting machine, means for trimming the margin of one or more inner layers of the toe-end portion of a multi-ply upper on a last while leaving a margin of the outer layer to be lasted over an insole on the last next to'the insole, a plurality of grippers having pairs of jaws arranged to grip the margin of the upper between them in different locations respectively around the toe, means for closing said jaws on the marginof the outer layer of the upper after the upper-trimming operation and for applying a pull by the jaws to that layer only, and wipers for wiping the margin oi the outer layer inwardly over the insole after it has thus been pulled.

4. In a toe-lasting machine, mechanism for trimming the margin of one or more inner layers of the toe-end portion of a multi-ply upper on a last while leaving a margin of the outer layer to be lasted over an insole on the last next to the insole, upper-gripping mechanism arranged to close on the margin of the-outer layer of the toeend portion of the upper after the upper-trim ming operation and to apply a pull to that layer only, the trimming mechanism being supported and controlled independently of said upper-gripping mechanism, mechanism for lasting the margin of the outer layer inwardly over the insole, and power-driven means for operating said mechanisms in automatically determined time relation to one another.

5. In a toe-lasting machine, mechanism for trimming the margin of one or more inner layers of. the toe-end portion of a .multi-ply upper on a last while leaving a margin of the outer layer to be lasted over an insole on the last next to the insole, mechanism for gripping the margin of the outer layer of the toe-end portion of the upper after the upper-trimming operation and for applying a pull to that layer only, mechanism for lasting the margin of the outer layer inwardly over the insole after it has thus been pulled, and fluid-operated devices associated respectively with said different mechanisms for operating them.

6. In a toe-lasting machine, means for conforming the toe-end portion of a multi-ply upper to the contour of a last and for also lasting the margin of the outer layer of the upper inwardly over an insole on the last, means for trimming the margin of one or more inner layers of the toe-end portion of the upper while it is held in conformity to the contour of the last by said conforming means, and upper-gripping members arranged to close on the margin of the outer layer of the upper after the upper-trimming operation and to apply a pull to that layer only prior to the lasting of its margin inwardly over the insole.

7. In a toe-lasting machine, means for conforming the toe-end portion of a multi-ply upper to the contour of a last by Wiping it heightwise of the last, means for trimming the margin of. one or more inner layers of the toe-end portion of the upper after it has been so conformed and while it is held in conformity to the contour of the last by said conforming means, uppergripping members for thereafter applying a pull to the outer layer only of the toe-end portion of the upper while gripping its margin between them, and means for lasting the margin of the outer layer inwardly over the insole.

8. In a toe-lasting machine, means for conforming the toe-end portion of a multi-ply upper to the contour of a last by wiping it heightwise of the last, means for trimming the margin of one or more inner layers of the toe-end portion of the upper after it has been so conformed and while it is held in conformity to the contour of the last by said conforming means, uppergripping members arranged to grip the margin of the upper between them, means for closing said members on the margin of the outer layer of the toe-end portion of the upper after the upper-trimming operation and for applying a pull by said members to that layer only, and Wipers for wiping the margin of the outer layer inwardly over the insole.

9. In a toe-lasting machine, means for trimming the margin of one or more inner layers of the toe-end portion of a multi-ply upper on a last while leaving a margin of the outer layer to be lasted over an insole on the last next to the insole, means for shaping the toe-end portion of the upper to the contour of the last preparatory to the upper-trimming operation and for similarly reshaping it after'that operation, additional means for applying a pull to the outer layer only of the toe-end portion of the upper after the upper-trimming operation, and means for lasting the margin of the outer layer inwardly over the insole.

10. In a toe-lasting machine, means for trimming the margin of one or more inner layers of the toe-end portion of a multi-ply upper on a last while leaving a margin of the outer layer to be lasted over an insole on the last next to the insole, means for shaping the toe-end portion of the upper to the contour of the last by wiping it heightwise of the last preparatory to the uppertrimming operation and for similarly reshaping it after that operation, upper-gripping members arranged to grip the margin of the upper between them, and means for closing said members on the margin of the outer layer of the toe-end portion of the upper after the upper-trimming operation and for applying a pull by said members to that layer only prior to the lasting of its margin over the insole.

11. In a toe-lasting machine, means for trimming the margin of one or more inner layers of the toe-end portion of a multi-ply upper on a last while leaving a margin of the outer layer to be lasted over an insole on th last next to the insole, a toe former for conforming the toe-end portion of the upper to the contour of the last and for holdin it thus conformed by pressure thereon during the upper-trim ning operation, means for retracting said toe former from the upper lengthwise and heightwise of the last after the upper-trimming operation and for then operating it to wipe the toe end portion of the trimmed upper heightwise of the last, and means for applying a pull independently of said toe former to the outer layer only of the toe-end portion of the upper after the upper-trimming operation preparatory to the lasting of its margin inwardly over the insole.

12. In a toe-lasting machine, means for trimming the margin of one or more. inner layers of the toe-end portion of a multi-ply upper on a last While leaving. a margin of the outer layer to be lasted over an insole on the last next. to the insole, a toe former, means to cause said toe former to wipe the toe-end portion of th upper heightwise of the last preparatory to the upper-trimming operation and againafter that operation, means for applying a pull to the outer layer only ofthe toe-end portion of the upper after the upper-trimming operation, and wipers for wiping the margin of the outer layer inwardly over the insole.

13. In a toe-lasting machine, means for trimming the margin of one or more inner layers of the toe-end portion of a multi-plyupper on a last while leaving a margin of the outer layer to be lasted over an insole on the last next to the insole, a toe former, means for operating said toe former to wipe the toe-end portion of the upper heightwise of the last preparatory to the upper-trimming operation and for retracting it and operating it again to wipe the upper heightwise of the last after that operation, upper-gripping members arranged to grip the margin of the upper between them, means for operating said members to grip the margin of the outer layer of the toe-end portion of the upper and to apply a pull to that layer only after the upper-trimming operation, and Wipers for wiping the margin of the outer layer inwardly over the insole.

14. In a toe-lasting machine, means movable to trim the margin of one or more inner layers of the toe-end portion of a multi-pl upper on a last While leaving a margin of the outer layer to be lasted over an insole on the last next to the insole, upper-gripping members arranged to grip the margin of the toe-end portion of the upper between them in the path of movement of said trimming means, and means for closing said members on the margin of the several layers of the upper and for causingthem to pull the upper prior to the upper-trimming operation and for thereafter closing them on the margin of the outer layer and for causing them to pull that layer only preparatory to the lasting of its margin inwardly over the insole.

15. In a toe-lasting machine, means movable to trimthe margin of one or more inner layers of the toe-end portion of a multi-ply upper on a last whileleaving a margin of the outer layer to be lasted over an insole on thelast next tothe insole, upper-gripping members arranged tov grip the margin of the toe-end portion of the upper between them in the path of movement of said trimming means, means for closing said members on the margin of theseveral layers of the upper and for operating them to, pull the upper prior to the upper-trimming operation and for ,olosing them on the margin of the outer layer and for operating them to pullthat layer only after, the upper-trimming operation, and means for lasting the margin of the outer layer inwardly over the l insole.

16, In a toe lasting meme, means for trimming the margin of one or more inner layersof the toe endportion of a multi-ply upper on a last ,while leaving amarginof the outer layer to be lasted 'over an insole on the last riext to the insole, wipers for wiping the margin of the outer layer inwardly over the insole, upper-gripping members arranged to grip the margin of the toeend portion of the upper between them, and means for closing said members on the margin of the several layersof the upper and for operating them to pull said margin outwardly over the wipers preparatory to the upper-trimming operation and for thereafter closing them on the margin of the outer layer and for operating them to pull the margin of that layer only outwardly over the wipers before it is wiped inwardly over the insole.

V 17. In a toe-lasting machine, means for trimming the margin of one or more innerlayers of the toe-end portion of a multi-ply upperon a last while leaving a margin of the outer layer to be lasted over an insole on the last next to the insole, means for conforming the toe-end portion of the upper to the contour of the last by wiping it heightwise of the last preparatory to the upper-trimming operation, and means for gripping the margin of th several layers of the toe-end portion of the upper andior pulling the upper prior to the upper-trimming operation and for thereafter gripping the margin of the outer layer and for pulling that layer only before its margin is lasted inwardly over the insole.

18. In a toe-lasting machine, means ,for trimming the margin of one or more inner layers of the toe-end portion of a multi-ply upper on a last While leaving a margin of the outer layer to be lasted over an insole on the last next to the insole, means for conforming the toe-end portion of the upper to the contour of the last by wiping it heightwise of the last preparatory to the uppertrimming operation, upper-gripping members arranged to grip the margin of the toe-end portion of the upper between them, means for closing said members on the margin of the several layers of the upper and for operating them to pull the upper preparatory to the upper-trimming operation and for thereafter closing them on the margin of the outer layer and for operating them to pull that layer only, and means for lasting the margin of the outer layer inwardly over the insole.

19. In a toe-lasting machine, means for trimming the margin of one or more inner layers of the toe-end portion of a multi-ply upper on a last While leaving a margin of the outer layer to be lasted over an insole on the last next to the insole, means for shaping the toe-end portion of the upper to the contour of the last bywiping it heightwise of the last preparatory to the uppertrimming operation and for similarly reshaping it after that operation, and additional means for applying a pull to the several layers of the toeend portion of the upper prior to the uppertrimming operation and for thereafter applying a pull to the outer layer only. l

20. In a toe-lasting machine, means for trimming the margin of one or more innerrlayers of the toe-end portion of a multi-ply upper on a last while leaving a margin of the outer layer to be lasted over an insole on the last next to the insole, means for shaping the toe-end portion of the upper to the contour of the last by pressure thereon preparatory to the .uppertrimming operation and for similarly reshaping it after that operation, upper-gripping members arranged to grip the margin of the toe-end portion of the upper between them, and means for closing said members on the margin of the several layers of the upper and for operating them to pull the upper prior to the upper-trimming operation and for thereafter closing them on the margin of the outer layer and for operating them to pull that layer only prior to the lasting of its margin inwardly over the insole.

21. In a toe-lasting machine, means for trimmin the margin of one or more inner layers of the toe-end portion of a multi-ply upper. on a last while leaving a margin of the outer layer to be lasted over an insole on the last next to the insole, a toe former, means to cause said toe former to wipe the toe-end portion of the upper heightwise of the last preparatory to the upper-trimming operation and again after that operation, means for applying a pull to the margin of the several layers of the toe-end portion of the upper prior to the upper-trimming operation and for thereafter applying a pull to the margin .of the outer layer only, and means for wiping the margin of the outer layer inwardly over the insole.

22. In a toe-lasting machine, means for trimming the margin of one or more inner layers of the toe-end portion of a multi-ply upper on a last while leaving a margin of the outer layer to be lasted over an insole on the last next to the insole, a toe former for conforming the toe-end portion of the upper to the contour of the last and for holding it thus conformed during the upper-trimming operation, means for retracting said toe former from the upper after the uppertrimming operation and for then operating it to wipe the toe-end portion of the trimmed upper heightwise of the last, and means for gripping and pulling the margin of the several layers of the toe-end portion of the upper prior to the upper-trimming operation and for thereafter gripping and pulling the margin of the outer layer only before it is lasted inwardly over the insole.

23. In a toe-lasting machine, means for trimming the margin of one or more inner layers of the toe-end portion of a multi-ply upper on a last while leaving a margin of the outer layer to be lasted over an insole on the last next to the insole, wipers for wiping the margin of the outer layer inwardly over the insole, means for conforming the toe-end portion of the upper to the contour of the last by pressure thereon and for holding it thus conformed during the uppertrimming operation, and means for gripping and pulling outwardly over the wipers the margin of the several layers of the upper preparatory to the upper-trimming operation and for thereafter gripping and pulling outwardlythe margin of the outer layer only before it is wiped inwardly over the insole by the wipers.

24. In a toe-lasting machine, means for trimming the margin of one or more inner layers of the toe-end portion of a multi-ply upper on a last while leaving a margin of the outer layer to be lasted over an insole on the last next to the insole, wipers for wiping the margin of the outer layer inwardly over the insole, a toe former, means to cause said toe former to wipe the toeend portion of the upper height-wise of the last preparatory to the upper-trimming operation and again after that operation, and means for gripping and pulling outwardly over the wipers the margin of the several layers of the upper preparatory to the upper-trimming operation and for gripping and pulling outwardly the margin of the outer layer only after the uppertrimming operation.

25. In a toe-lasting machine, means for trimming the margin of one or more inner layers of the toe-end portion of a multi-plyupper on a last while leaving a margin of the outer layer to be lasted over an insole on the last next to the insole, wipers for wiping the margin of the outer layer inwardly over the insole, a toe former for conforming the toe-end portion of the upper to the contour of the last and for holding it thus conformed during the upper-trimming operation, upper-gripping members arranged to grip the margin of the several layerslof the toe-end portion of the upper between them and to pull said margin outwardly over the wipers preparatory to the upper-trimming operation, means for retracting said toe former and the wipers as a unit from the upper after the upper-trimming operation and for then moving them to cause the toe former to wipe the toe-end portion of the trimmed upper heightwise of the last, and means for operating said upper-gripping members to grip the margin of the outer layer only of the upper and to pull it outwardly over the wipers in time relation'to such movement of the wipers and the toe former.

26. That improvement in methods of lasting the toe ends of shoes which consists in conforming the several layers of the toe-end portion of a multi-ply upper to the contour of a last and to the edge of an insole on the last, gripping and pulling the margin of the several layers of the upper outwardly in outspread relation to the edge of the insole, trimming the outspread margin of one or more inner layers of the upper thus conformed to the contour of the last while leaving a margin of the outer layer to be lasted inwardly over the insole, releasing the margin of the several layers from the grip thereon to facilitate the trimming operation, gripping the margin of the outer layer after the trimming operation and applying a pull to that layer only, and after thus pulling the outer layer lasting its margin inwardly over the insole.

27. That improvement in methods of lasting the toe ends of shoes which consists in conforming the several layers of the toe-end portion of a multi-ply upper to the contour of a last while gripping and applying to the margin of the several layers an outward pull generally parallel to the bottom of the last, trimming the outspread margin of one or more inner layers of the upper thus conformed to the contour of the last while leaving a margin of the outer layer to be lasted inwardly over an insole on the last, releasing the margin of the several layers from the grip thereon to facilitate the trimming operation, gripping the margin of the outer layer-after the trimming operation and applying an outward pull to that layer only, and after thus pulling the outer layer lasting its margin inwardly over the insole.

28. That improvement in methods of lasting the toe ends of shoes, which consists in conforming the several layers of the toe-end portion of a multi-ply upper to the contour of a last and to the edge of an insole on the last, gripping and pulling'the margin of the several layers of the upper outwardly over lasting wipers adjacent to the edge of the insole, trimming the outspread margin of one or more inner layers of the upper in a plane substantially parallel to the wipers while leaving a margin of the outer layer to be lasted inwardly over the insole, releasing the margin of the several layers from the grip thereon to facilitate the trimming operation, gripping the margin of the outer layer after the trimming operation and applying-a pull to that layer only, and thereafter wiping the margin of the outer layer inwardly over the insole by the wipers.

29. That improvement in methods of lasting the toe ends of shoes, which consists in conforming the several layers of the toe-end portion of a multi-ply upper to the contour of a last and to the edge of an insole on the last, gripping and pulling the margin of the several layers of the upper outwardly over lasting wipers adjacent to the edge of the insole, trimming the outspread margin of one or more inner layers of the upper in a plane substantially parallel to the Wipers while leaving a margin of the outer layer to be lasted inwardly over the insole, releasing the margin of the several layers from the grip thereon to facilitate the trimming operation, gripping the margin of the outer layer only after the trimming operation and pulling it outwardly over the wipers, wiping the margin of the outer layer inwardly over the insole by the wipers, and releasing the margin of the outer layer from the grip thereon as the wipers begin to wipe it inwardly.

30. That improvement in methods of lasting the toe ends of shoes which consists in shaping the several layers of the toe-end portion of a multi-ply upper to the contour of a last by wiping them heightwise of the last while gripping and applying a pull to the margin of the several layers, holding the upper in conformity to the contour of the last by pressure around the toe end of the last, trimming the margin of one or more inner layers of the upper thus held while leaving a margin of the outer layer to be lasted inwardly over an insole on the last, releasing the margin of the several layers from the grip thereon in the course of the trimming operation, similarly reshaping the toe-end portion of the upper to the contour of the last after the trimming operation while applying a pull to the outer layer only, and lasting the margin of the outer layer inwardly over the insole.

31. That improvement in methods of lasting the toe ends of shoes which consists in conforming the several layers of the toe-end portion of a multi-ply upper to the contour of a last by pressure thereon while gripping and applying a pull to the margin of the several layers, holding the upper by said pressure in conformity to the contour of the last, trimming the margin of one or more inner layers of the upper thus held while leaving a margin of the outer layer to be lasted inwardly over an insole on the last, releasing the margin of the several layers from the grip thereon to facilitate the trimming operation, releasing the upper from the conforming pressure after the trimming operation and again conforming it to the contour of the last while applying a pull to the margin to the outer layer only, and thereafter lasting the margin of the outer layer inwardly over the insole.

32. That improvement in methods of lasting the toe ends of shoes which consists in conforming the several layers of the toe-end portion of a multi-ply upper to the contour of a last by wiping the upper heightwise of the last while gripping and applying to the margin of the several layers an outward pull generally parallel to the bottom of the last, holding the upper thus conformed to the contour of the last, trimming the outspread margin of one or more inner layers of the upper thus held while leaving a margin of the outer layer to be lasted inwardly over an insole on the last, releasing the margin of the several layers from the grip thereon to facilitate the trimming operation, wiping the toe end of the upper again heightwise of the last after the trimming operation while applying an outward pull to the margin of the outer layer only, and thereafter lasting the margin of the outer layer inwardly over the insole.

BERNHARDT J ORGENSEN. 

